Why Canggu Has Become A Magnet for Digital Nomads

Canggu and Digital Nomads, are two terms that cannot be separated now. This laidback and charming neighbourhood west of Kuta and Seminyak has become a popular destination for agile workers to stop over, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. As one of the destinations for travelers that are not impacted by the pandemic, here’s why Canggu has become a haven for Digital Nomads.

The Lifestyle

Canggu has become famous for its fun-loving and vibrant lifestyle. Nestled between green rice terraces and beautiful beaches, you can enjoy a peaceful walk through the rice fields, or a day at the beach surfing or just lazing around.  At the same time, Canggu provides all the great cafes, restaurants, shopping, bars, and nightlife you would expect of a happening international tourist destination – not to mention some of the best, budget-friendly Indonesian delicacies. The warm and friendly people of Canggu will welcome you with open arms and make your stay something you will treasure forever. 

Tropical weather

Canggu being on the tropical island of Bali has dry and rainy seasons. Usually, the dry season is from April to September, and the rainy season is from October to March, with a stable warm temperature throughout the year.
Hence, Canggu is perfect to visit when it is warm and sunny around June and August, but if you want to experience the area and less buzz of the high season come around October and November. In this season you can find beautiful paddy rice terraces and exquisite, lush, green, and leafy gardens in Canggu.

Where to Stay

It’s common knowledge among insiders who like traveling, that a monthly budget of around $900 – $1,800 will allow you to stay for a month in Canggu, without sacrificing too many comforts and entertainment options. But, of course, Canggu offers a wide range of accommodation options from budget-friendly guest houses, right up to 5+ star villas. For those who like their creature comforts, but still want to stay within a budget, renting a room in a luxury villa is one of the most popular options – there are plenty of other travellers looking to share costs. Some villa operators are also providing this option, and manage all the maintenance and cleaning services for you.  Many villas and hotels will also agree to discounts for long-term stays if you’re looking to try out living in Canggu for a longer period of time.

Food & Coffee

The attractions of Canggu don’t stop at the lovely scenery and lifestyle, but you can also indulge in some of the best food and entertainment on the island! Canggu cafes and restaurants offer a wide selection of international and local cuisines. You can satisfy your taste palate with a classic English breakfast, Vietnamese lunch, and an authentic Italian dinner followed by cocktails and dancing! Of course, all the local favourites are always on offer- why not try the famous Balinese nasi campur or babi guling?

And as Indonesia is one of the world’s largest exporters of coffee beans, it’s not hard to get your daily dose of caffeine!  With its sophisticated international clientele, Canggu has some of the best quality coffee in Asia – and some of the best cafes to spend a few hours working or just chilling out.

So while you’re in Canggu take the time to indulge in the great cuisine and cafe culture.

Here’s a few suggestions for great food and coffee around Canggu:

Plentiful Co-working spaces

You can find a wide range of co-working cafes or even a place to stay with working area facilities to support the digital nomad in Canggu. As one of the “must haves” for a Digital Nomad destination, many of Canggu’s accommodation choices provide facilities for agile workers with a comfortable working ambiance, high-speed Wi-Fi, and food and beverages to sustain you through the working day. If you choose your working space wisely you can also take a refreshing dip in the swimming pool in your break time!

The Language

Basically, all business owners can speak English, even if just some basic phrases, so you’ll have no difficulty communicating while in Canggu.  Along the way, you will unconsciously pick up some Indonesian or Balinese language to make your interaction with the locals even more enjoyable. If you’re really keen, there are also plenty of language short courses you can take.

Convenient transportation

There are some choices when you want to wander around Canggu, ride your scooter or grab an online taxi or ojek. Online transportation in Canggu can take you to your destination at a reasonable price. But, if you want to save money you can try to ride a scooter, rest assured you can ask local people to teach you if you’ve never ridden one before or ask the staff at the place you stay to arrange it for your convenience.

Proximity to nature and adventure

Within a few minutes, stroll or ride to beautiful beaches, paddy rice fields, and nature destinations that are bound to make your Instagram followers jealous! 

Canggu is located right in the centre of Bali’s adventure destinations – 30 minutes to Tanah Lot, 1 hour to Ubud, 30 minutes to Seminyak, and 2 and half hours to north Bali. So, you can spend your day exploring, and be back in time to enjoy the Canggu vibes at night. 

Networking scene and Global Community for Digital Nomads

In Canggu, you can meet new people from all over the world. Canggu is now an established Digital Nomad destination, so you can easily make connections with like-minded travellers – who knows you may meet your next business collaborator in Canggu! Of course, if you prefer to stick to yourself, there’s plenty of quiet areas to work and come up with your next innovation…. But, what cannot be avoided in Canggu, whether you’re an introvert or extrovert, is the friendly, social atmosphere all around you.

Gorgeous beaches and ocean views

Canggu before being discovered by Digital nomads was a surfing village, famous for the breaks off Echo Beach or Pantai Batu Bolong, sandy beaches, and a great place to enjoy the sunset and ocean views. Whatever you love about the beach – Canggu has it!

Preserve your Wellness 

Keeping your wellness while staying at Canggu is a must. Relax, there are a lot of reputable gyms, yoga classes, and outdoor sports (tennis, skateboarding, etc) to keep those muscles intact. Alternatively, if you like the salty water, try surfing or bodyboarding to release those endorphins of yours.

Vibrant Nightlife

Get your job done and then unwind and lose the stress in the Canggu Nightlife. After sundown, the brunch cafes are closed, and it’s time for the bars to open. Canggu offers a pub, bar, or cocktail lounge to suit every taste, many with live music or DJs playing to the small hours.

Visas

According to the Indonesian Government, in September 2022, the Government approved a new policy for Digital Nomad visas, allowing digital nomads to conduct online work for up to six months, without paying Indonesian tax on non-Indonesian sourced income, by using an existing B211A visa.  See [link] for details.

So now you know why Canggu has become a magnet for Digital Nomads – plentiful accommodation, various attractions, great food, experiences, and a social scene to be enjoyed. Short-term or long-term, your time in Canggu will leave you with fond memories for years to come. So what are you waiting for? See you in Canggu!

Nestled in the heart of Canggu is Leafy Home Canggu, a “home away from home” offering all the charming experiences of Canggu while servicing all the needs of the Digital Nomad. Equipped with private and co-working spaces, high-speed Wi-Fi, six en-suite bedrooms, and a beautiful swimming pool, in a leafy garden environment, we are minutes walk from the beach, paddy fields, clubs, gyms, and well-known cafes, bars, and restaurants.
Our experienced 24-hour staff will cater to your every need and leave you with fond memories of your time in Canggu. See you in Canggu!